Easy-up ladder support



March 3, 1964 c. z. MONAGHAN ETAL 3,123,178

EASY-UP LADDER SUPPORT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 14, 1962 March 3, 1954 c. z. MONAGHAN ETAL. 3,123,178

EASY-UP LADDER SUPPORT Filed May 14, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 ilk INVENTOR CEC/L Z MONAGHA/V N/ CHOL AS J CHR/STOPHERS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,123,178 EASY-UI LADDER SUPPORT Cecil Z. Monaghan, 10619 136th St., and Nicholas J.

Christophers, 12445 86th St., both of Edmonton, Al-

berta, Canada Filed May 14, 1962, Ser. No. 194,478 2 Claims. (Q1. 182--97) The invention relates to mounting an extension-type ladder that is easily removable, or may be afiiXed onto the body of a service Vehicle, in which removal of the ladder from the vehicle is easily accomplished and there is also achieved the use of the vehicle as a support in securing the ladder in a substantially upright position.

It is common on service vehicles to mount a portable extension ladder on a metal carriage with brackets on top of the body of the vehicle or cab thereof. Considerable stress and strain for removing or replacing the ladder on the vehicle is usually required. The only way this type ladder can be used is by completely removing the ladder from the vehicle and leaning it against a surface for support.

On certain types of vehicles it is common to mount a special aerial type of ladder which is selfsupporting on the service vehicle, but is not removable for service elsewhere and which further requires elaborate supporting equipment on the vehicle leaving substantially little room on the vehicle for other uses. These space and Weight problems minimize the useful purposes for which such vehicles may otherwise be used.

It has been found that the above disadvantages and limitations may be overcome by mounting the metal carriage on a hinged swivel joint near the midpoint of the carriage, and adding a stop on the top of the body so that the carriage may be swung downwardly and xed onto the stop. The carriage is then located at a convenient height for easy removal of the ladder. Swinging the carriage down to this position is a one-hand operation. In addition, it has been found that adding two braces to the lower part of the carriage and two positive acting brace locks on the lower part of the service vehicle, that the braces can be readily locked into position with the carriage in an upright, or substantially upright, position. If a strain type extension ladder is used, it will then be self-supporting from the vehicle, free from the ground or any other supporting surface. By means of a series of locking holes in the braces, both the vertical and the lateral positioning of the top of the ladder may be varied. The whole supporting structure requires no more room on the vehicle than the space required for stowage of a conventional ladder with the addition of a ladder mounting carriage.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a simple and compact ladder mounting carriage for a ladder that is easily adjustable from a stowage position to a usable position.

Also it is an object of the invention to provide a compact ladder mounting structure that is safe and efficient in use, without presenting any problems of danger when the ladder and carriage are in the stowed position.

A complete understanding of the invention may be had from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 shows a service vehicle with the ladder carriage frame in stowed or transport position, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a service vehicle with the ladder carriage frame in ladder-removal position;

FIG. 3 shows a service vehicle with the ladder carriage frame in ladder aerial Work position, also in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention;

ICC

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail of the lower working end of the ladder carriage frame shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a broken bottom view of the ladder carriage frame shown in FIG. 1 with the support braces in transport position;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the left side brace shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view ofthe cross member shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the cross member shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the ladder carriage frame rest shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is an enlargement of the ladder carriage frame rest locking device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged elevation View of the hinged swivel joint shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged end view of the hinged swivel joint shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of the hinged swivel joint shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged elevation of the brace locks shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the lower section of the brace lock position shown in FIGS. 2 and 14, with the clamp shown in the open position; and

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the ladder carriage frame stop shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 more generally indicate the positions of the various components as related to the whole assembly, which various components are shown in details of FIGS. 4l6.

Referring now to the drawings, a ladder carriage frame 19 is shown as a metal frame into which a ladder may be placed and secured thereby. As shown in FIGURE 4, ladder 12 may be secured to frame 1t) by means of locking members 64 on ladder 12 which cooperate with holes 66 in blocks 68 on frame 10. It is supported near its midpoint by a hinged swivel joint 14, also shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13. Referring to these figures, a cross bridge 16 is shown attached to the carriage frame at its outer ends. A hinge 13 is attached to the cross bridge 16 for permitting the ladder carriage frame to have vertical movement. The lower section of the hinge forms a stanchion which tits inside of cylinder 22. The stanchion has a collar Ztl which bears the weight of the ladder carriage frame on cylinder 22. A set screw 26 locks the stanchion into the cylinder 22. The stanchion and cylinder in combination permit horizontal movement of the ladder carriage frame. Base plates 2S are provided for supporting the hinged swivel joint and attaching it to a vehicle service body.

Frame 10, when in the transport position shown in FIGURE 1, is secured by the hinged swivel joint indicated generally as 14 and frame rest 4S, shown in detail in FIG- URES 9 and 10. Frame rest 48 comprises verticle plate 5t) bolted to the truck body and a horizontal member 52 attached thereto adapted to receive the lower end of frame It). Raised portion 54 has a shoulder 56 adapted to cooperate with an edge of frame 10 to secure the frame in position. A bolt and nut 58 inserted through hole 62 in member 52 cooperate with clamping member 60 to firmly secure the frame to frame rest 48 for transport.

In FIG. 5 are shown the support braces which x the position of the ladder carriage frame when in aerial work position, such as that shown in FIG. 3. They are hinged to the carriage frame at their lower ends and have a series of locking pin holes for positioning the brace supports at various distances into the brace locks. These various hole positions permit the ladder carriage frame to be rotated and fixed laterally approximately 45 and vertically approximately 25 This freedom of movement :maarre may be increased or decreased somewhat with various mounting conditions as desired, and with various types of vehicle service bodies.

While in the position shown in FIG. 5, the support braces 3G, 32 are held in place by a keeper pin or key (not shown). FIGURES 5, 6, and 7 also show positioning slots 79 and 72 for locating respectively support braces Si), 32 with respect to frame it). Slot 7@ is located on frame Slot 72. is located on cross .member '74.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show the brace locks 34 which are mounted on the underside of the vehicle service body. These figures also show a universal-joint 36 as a type of mounting to the service body. A locking pin 3S is ixed into the upper half of the brace lock 34. The pin will lit into holes in the support braces 30, 32. A hinge 40 is shown that joins the upper and lower halves of the brace lock. A threaded bolt 42 is provided with a hole being drilled through the head end, and attached to the upper half of the brace lock by a suitable pin to form a hinged attachment. The nut used on the bolt has protrusions which facilitate the tightening or loosening of the nut without the use of tools.

When either of the braces 3), 32 is inserted into the brace lock, the two halves of the brace lock are closed together, then the threaded bolt is positioned to hold the two halves together and the nut is then tightened. This device securely holds the support brace in the brace lock.

When the carriage frame is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 2, it may be locked into position by the spring-loaded stop 46 which is detailed in FIG. 16. The spring-loaded stop snaps into an opening in a flat metal plate 76 which protrudes from the bottom of the ladder carriage frame I0. The stop 46 comprises a spring 78 biasing movable member 8d towards stop d6. Member 80 is movable in housing 46, supported by members 82, by pulling ring 84. Referring to FIGURE 16, frame 10 can be secured in the position shown in FIGURE 2, by pullinor ring 84 to the right, inserting plate 76 into position intermediate housing 46 and stop 86, and releasing the ring to engage member Si) in a hole in plate 76.

Another way in which the invention may be used in operation is to reverse the positioning of the hinge and the swivel by attaching the swivel to the carriage frame 4 cross brace, and the hinge to the base plate. This is within the scope of one skilled in the art. The braces would then be adapted to mount the carriage frame as is described above.

It should be understood that the specic apparatus herein illustrated and described is intended to be representative only, as many changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the invention. Accordinfvly, reference should be made to the following claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A ladder support for mounting on a vehicle comprising a ladder carriage frame for supporting a ladder therefrom, a swivel-joint for mounting on said vehicle for rotation about a vertical axis, said swivel-joint having a hinge means connected near the midpoint of said ladder carriage frame, support braces pivotally mounted on said ladder carriage frame and having locking pin holes therein, and brace locks for mounting on said vehicle including .a universal joint for receiving said support braces to ix the position ot the ladder carriage trarne in any of various positions.

2. The invention of claim 1 in which said brace locks further include two clamp halves hinged together for receiving the support braces in closed position for withdrawing the support braces in open position, a locking pin to iix said support braces securely to said hinged clamp halves, a threaded bolt hinged at one end to one of said hinged clamp halves and a nut for tightening the threaded bolt for securing the hinged clamp halves together.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 303,520 Johnson Aug. 12, 1884 481,199 Shadbolt Aug. 23, 1892 519,234 Cardarelli May 1, 1894 1,521,814 Houska Jan. 6, 1925 1,529,359 Hopkins Mar. 10, 1925 2,116,470 Kiley May 3, 1938 2,719,025 Stone Sept. 27, 1955 2,783,771 Thomas Mar. 5, 1957 

1. A LADDER SUPPORT FOR MOUNTING ON A VEHICLE COMPRISING A LADDER CARRIAGE FRAME FOR SUPPORTING A LADDER THEREFROM, A SWIVEL-JOINT FOR MOUNTING ON SAID VEHICLE FOR ROTATION ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS, SAID SWIVEL-JOINT HAVING A HINGE MEANS CONNECTED NEAR THE MIDPOINT OF SAID LADDER CARRIAGE FRAME, SUPPORT BRACES PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID LADDER CARRIAGE FRAME AND HAVING LOCKING PIN HOLES THEREIN, AND BRACE LOCKS FOR MOUNTING ON SAID VEHICLE INCLUDING A UNIVERSAL JOINT FOR RECEIVING SAID SUPPORT BRACES TO FIX THE POSITION OF THE LADDER CARRIAGE FRAME IN ANY OF VARIOUS POSITIONS. 